worsening hair algae

fishorcutbait · 01/15/2008, 06:47 AM

What's the best way to clear up hair algae? My tank, about 2.5 months old, is getting more and more. Some is purple and stringy and other areas are green and thick hair. One of my astrea is even covered with long hair!! It's bizarre. Only on a few of the rocks, but spreading. I have about 4 astrea as clean up crew.
The tank is an aquapod 12 with MH sunpod, on about 11 hours a day. I could cut back on the time, if people suggest. I use only distilled water. ammonia, nitrites, nitrates all zero. Livestock is one small clown. Only three soft coral, and they seem to be (very slowly) growing OK.
I feed one flake per day to the little clown. Water change 1 gallon per week.

some Pics of the problem:

Carlos · 01/15/2008, 07:28 AM

First, cut back on the MH if you only have soft corals. Do 8 hrs a day for now. Second, test your water for phosphates. Distilled water still might have phosphates in there. It is better to go to your LFS and get RO/DI water (if possible) or purchase your own unit as it is something you will use regardless of the tank size. Third, make sure you do your water changes at least once a week religiously.

Remember, your tank is only 2.5 months old so hair algae is normal and expected at this stage. It will eventually go away on its own provided that you do regular husbandry.

Carlos

Swanwillow · 01/15/2008, 07:40 AM

with that much algae, it'll test 0
The reason your testing 0 for nitrates, is cause its being taken up so quickly by the HA. How often are you feeding the tank, and what are you feeding it?
what is your bioload like?

joeychitwood · 01/15/2008, 08:15 AM

It's a young tank, so the problem may improve over time. If not, do a search here on RC for threads discussing raising the magnesium level to eliminate HA. Many people are having success doing so.

01/15/2008, 06:47 AM	#1
fishorcutbait Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 35	worsening hair algae What's the best way to clear up hair algae? My tank, about 2.5 months old, is getting more and more. Some is purple and stringy and other areas are green and thick hair. One of my astrea is even covered with long hair!! It's bizarre. Only on a few of the rocks, but spreading. I have about 4 astrea as clean up crew. The tank is an aquapod 12 with MH sunpod, on about 11 hours a day. I could cut back on the time, if people suggest. I use only distilled water. ammonia, nitrites, nitrates all zero. Livestock is one small clown. Only three soft coral, and they seem to be (very slowly) growing OK. I feed one flake per day to the little clown. Water change 1 gallon per week. some Pics of the problem:

01/15/2008, 07:28 AM	#2
Carlos Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 7,258	First, cut back on the MH if you only have soft corals. Do 8 hrs a day for now. Second, test your water for phosphates. Distilled water still might have phosphates in there. It is better to go to your LFS and get RO/DI water (if possible) or purchase your own unit as it is something you will use regardless of the tank size. Third, make sure you do your water changes at least once a week religiously. Remember, your tank is only 2.5 months old so hair algae is normal and expected at this stage. It will eventually go away on its own provided that you do regular husbandry. Carlos __________________ Carlos "Only a fool wants to hear the echo of his own voice." "What do you want for nothing? rrrrrrubber biscuit?" Current Tank Info: Custom 210 gal Reef Octopus Tank with SlimFlow overflow, IceCap 36XL Sump, Reef Octopus ELITE 200INT Skimmer, 2-Part Dosing, 3 x Giesemann VerVve, KH Guardian Alk Controller, ClariSea Roller Filter

01/15/2008, 07:40 AM	#3
Swanwillow goby girl Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bemidji MN Posts: 2,025	with that much algae, it'll test 0 The reason your testing 0 for nitrates, is cause its being taken up so quickly by the HA. How often are you feeding the tank, and what are you feeding it? what is your bioload like? __________________ my advice:walk away. do nothing. til tomorrow. if its still alive, it will hopefully be fine. If you do not see it, do not try to find it. it may be hiding. just LEAVE it alone Current Tank Info: starting over! 125 gallon. Soon to be home to Blackfoot clowns, A. nigripes

01/15/2008, 08:15 AM	#4
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	It's a young tank, so the problem may improve over time. If not, do a search here on RC for threads discussing raising the magnesium level to eliminate HA. Many people are having success doing so.